2004

On his new album, Eric Clapton covers 14 of the 29 songs that legendary bluesman Robert Johnson wrote during his lifetime.
Robert Johnson has always been one of Clapton’s primary musical influences. “It is a remarkable thing,” writes Clapton in the liner notes to this record, “to have been driven and influenced all of my life by the work of one man. His music is like my oldest friend.” During his career - from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to Cream and his own solo records

Singer-songwriter Bob Schneider has been a fixture on the Austin music scene who made his solo debut in 1999 with the underrated album Lonelyland. Prior to his solo career a band project he’s most noted for was as a member of the Ugly Americans, a jam-influenced band that had some success opening for Dave Matthews and the HORDE festival.

Los Lobos’s latest album pulls together some of the best songs from their back catalogue, throws in a handful of new tunes and features collaborations with some all-time great musicians.

Joining Lobos are guests with as wide-ranging musical styles as eclectic as those of Los Lobos themselves. New songs like “Kitate” feature Tom Waits, “Somewhere In Time” with Dave Alvin, “Hurry Tomorrow” was co-written with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, and “Ya Se Va” with Ruben Blades on vocals and Alberto Salas of Los Super 7 on piano.

One would think that after 7 years of near exile and having recently
turned 45, that the concept of Morrissey – let alone his music – would be
irrelevant in the world of music as we know it. You Are The Quarry –
Morrissey’s first album since 1997’s disappointing Maladjusted - is anything
but irrelevant. It’s a solid, completely important comeback from the former
Smiths' front man whose music never quite found the level of popularity in
the States as it deserved.

Jem Griffiths hails from Cardiff, Wales - home of Tom Jones,
and if you’re a fan of Beth Orton, Dido, or even The
Sundays, and Everything But The Girl, you’ll appreciate
Jem’s wonderful debut collection of pop-oriented and
orchestrated beats.

Extraordinary songwriting, brilliant production, remarkable performances and
a voice that sounds as confident as it did when she debuted 40 years ago in Nashville
mark one of the years best albums from a country legend pushing 70 and produced
by one of rock’s alternative hot shots. Loretta Lynn’s collaboration
with Jack White of the White Stripes, Van Lear Rose, is a collaboration that
far exceeds any expectations about the album when it was being produced and recorded
and word started circulating in the music world about the project.

Welcome to the shape of jazz to come. He is pianist and
singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum, currently one of a handful
of “twentysomething” “jazz” artists
interpreting pop songs old and new, and writing originals
on his own unique terms. Cullum’s album Twentysomething,
and his charismatic, energetic shows land him in the States
as a bonafide UK superstar. Superstardom in the UK rarely
assures success in the States (ask the Smiths and Robbie
Williams about that), however, early stateside reviews of
Cullum’s new album and his sensational stage show
are pointing towards something new and interesting coming
our way.

Born in New York, singer-songwriter David Mead spent most
of his life in Nashville where he still lives. After spending
several years as a member of a couple of Nashville’s
most popular local bands, including Joe Mark’s Brother,
David left the band and released his solo debut in 1999
with The Luxury Of Time. Mead specializes in sweet, melodic
pop songs that often recall Paul Simon’s early solo
work, the more romantic side of Paul McCartney and the pop
wizardry of Fountains of Wayne.

The welcoming phrase that serves as the title to the 18th
volume in our Live at the World Cafe series puts
you the listener in a very good place indeed. As we move
to our new World Café studio these songs will always remind
us of what will forever be the “old World Cafe.”

One of our Artists to Watch for 2004 - XPN listeners
have had a glimpse of the talented Rachael Yamagata since
the release of an EP from which the song “Worn Me
Down” has become one of XPN’s most requested
songs. Over the last six months Rachael has been putting
the finishing touches on her debut album, Happenstance.
The album was produced by John Alagia, whose magic touch
can be heard on favorite XPN albums from artists including
Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, and O.A.R.